Ron DeSantis Archives

The state of the US National Guard: Unusual missions, declining recruitment

September 28, 2022

In times of crisis, federal, state, and local agencies can count on the U.S. National Guard to step in and lend a helping hand. Recently, the Guard has responded in ways not seen before.

Members of the Guard are part-time civilian soldiers who serve at the pleasure of the president and their state’s governor. Most of the guardsmen work everyday jobs or attend college while reporting to drill one weekend a month.

Colonel Joe Eggen has spent more than two decades in the Army. He has spent the last six years in the Nebraska National Guard overseeing recruitment and retention.

“What I love the most about the National Guard is our domestic mission,” Colonel Eggen said. “On top of the federal mission, we have to be able to help our fellow Nebraskans in times of need or other folks in states throughout the nation.”

The Guard lends a helping hand during natural disasters such as hurricanes, major flooding events, and wildfires. It also serves as boots on the ground if needed in times of war.

In 2020, guardsmen assisted with COVID-19 relief efforts, responded to civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, and supported Capital Police following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

In 2022, Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, deployed guardsmen to help secure the Southern border and Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-FL, deployed guardsmen to staff state prisons.

“It’s just appalling that the governor would take this sort of tactic,” Florida State Representative Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said.

Straight Arrow News asked if there is anything the Guard does not do and whether it is being overstretched to handle issues outside of its wheelhouse.

“The adjutant general, as well as the governor of Nebraska, is pretty selective about what we’re asked to do,” Eggen said. “So that we’re filling a role that cannot be met by our state and local agencies, to help out in those times of crisis when that capacity becomes overwhelmed.”

Much like police departments, recruitment for the National Guard is down across the country. Enlistments remain at half of their pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Colonel Eggen said the Guard often recruits high school seniors, but school visits have not been permitted.

Despite the dip in enlistments, the Guard continues to be a necessary backstop for a nation in various states of turmoil.
Lawyer for Martha’s Vineyard migrants discredits DeSantis consent forms

September 26, 2022

When dozens of migrants showed up in Martha’s Vineyard, there was quick action to get them off the island. Now, a lengthy legal battle is brewing over the decision to send them there in the first place. But the narrative is nothing new. Migrants have been relocated to democrat-run sanctuary cities for months. Tens of thousands have been transported to New York City, Washington D.C. and Chicago. It’s “Destination Martha’s Vineyard” that has invoked political warfare.

Headlines erupted nationwide with claims migrants had been misled. Now, several migrant families are suing Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida.

“We are also seeking damages for our clients for the harrowing experiences they have survived through this fraudulent scheme perpetrated by Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida,” Ivan Espinoza, Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, representing Martha’s Vineyard migrants said.

DeSantis responded by publicly releasing the consent forms migrants signed before agreeing to travel to Martha’s Vineyard.

The signed consent forms had each migrant agree to hold the benefactor or its designed representatives harmless of all liability during the agreed transport.” The law firm representing the migrants rejects that notion.

“The consent forms themselves are further evidence against the defendants,” Espinoza said. “It was missing material information that would have been needed for our clients to make an informed decision and to provide consent.”

The lawsuit said some migrants thought they were going to arrive in Washington D.C. but on the consent form released by the Governor’s Office, Massachusetts is described as the “final destination.”

The lawsuit also claimed Florida was “luring plaintiffs (the migrants) by exploiting their most basic needs” like food and shelter. They cite examples of migrants given gift cards and free hotel stays.

“We’re talking about a group of highly vulnerable immigrants, people who were lured by $10 McDonalds cards,” Espinoza said.

But Gov. DeSantis said migrants who decided to leave Texas for Martha’s Vineyard did so on their own accord.

“It was clearly voluntary and all the other nonsense your hearing is just not true, and why wouldn’t they want to go given where they were?” DeSantis said in a Fox interview.

Putting the text of the lawsuit allegations aside the text of the consent forms is indicative a muddied battle of “he said she said” will likely ensue in court. The migrants are seeking unspecified damages from the suit and want to see an end to the transporting of migrants.

“We are seeking a nationwide injunction to block Governor DeSantis in Florida from engaging in these activities that endanger human live,” Espinoza said. But Gov. DeSantis has doubled down, promising more flights to come.
Liz Truss visits US; Myanmar school attack; Martha’s Vineyard investigation

September 20, 2022

On Sept. 20, 2022, British Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived in the United States; the Myanmar government spearheaded deadly attack on a school; and a criminal investigation has been opened surrounding migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard.

British PM Liz Truss arrives in U.S. – Prime Minister Liz Truss arrived for her first trip to the U.S. as Britain’s leader early Tuesday morning. Her visit comes as plans for a U.K. and U.S. free trade deal has been highly anticipated. However, Truss told reporters on her way to the U.N. General Assembly that a deal is not one of her priorities and that she doesn’t expect negotiations to start anytime soon. Her travels come one day after Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest.

Myanmar government deadly attack – At least 13 people are dead including seven children after government helicopters in Myanmar attacked a school and village in the north central part of the country. It appears to be the latest attack on pro-democracy insurgents and their allies since the military overtook the government last year.

School administrator Mar Mar said she was trying to get students to safe hiding places in ground-floor classrooms when two of four Mi-35 helicopters hovering north of the village began attacking, firing machine guns and heavier weapons at the school.

Criminal investigation into migrant flights – Attorneys for many of the migrants who were flown to Martha’s Vineyard last year are looking into brochures they say were given to the migrants. The attorneys describe the brochures as “highly misleading” and “used to entice clients to travel under the guise that support was available to them.” Now there is a criminal investigation into the flights opened up by Bexar County Sheriff’s Department in San Antonio where the migrants were before their flights to Martha’s Vineyard.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, who organized and funded the flights, responded to the claims in a Fox News interview Monday night. Gov. DeSantis said all migrants voluntarily signed consent forms and were given packets with a map of Martha’s Vineyard and phone numbers to local resources.

“There are jobs available in Martha’s Vineyard, there is lodging available in Martha’s Vineyard, had they lived up to what they build themselves up as, as a sanctuary city, they could have absorbed those people without a problem,” DeSantis said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Despite reports of border security, migrants overwhelm El Paso, Texas

September 16, 2022

Like many communities along the southern border, El Paso is overwhelmed with migrants. Vice President Kamala Harris said the U.S.-Mexico border is secure, but new data from the Department of Homeland Security and on-the-ground reports show that statement is false.

The Washington Free Beacon, citing internal communications from DHS, reports there are now 8,000 migrant encounters at the southern border every day. A new record high.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently started transporting migrants by bus or plane to northern, Democratic-controlled cities like New York and Washington D.C. The Democratic-led city of El Paso, Texas quietly started busing migrants to other so-called sanctuary cities as well.

El Paso is getting grant funding from FEMA to cover the costs of the transportation. Critics said the migrants are being used as political pawns, but leaders in border communities said they are running out of options.

In El Paso, there are so many migrants entering the country illegally, the shelters are overwhelmed, and entire families are sleeping in the streets. The space outside El Paso’s Greyhound bus station now serves as a migrant tent-city of sorts.

In September, an average of 1,300 migrants per day crossed into the United States at El Paso. The crisis continues to be top-of-mind for many Americans as midterm elections approach.

An August NPR survey found a majority of Americans believe we’re facing an invasion at the southern border.
Martha’s Vineyard declares ‘humanitarian crisis’ following arrival of 50 migrants

September 16, 2022

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, received a round of applause from a crowd at an event Thursday expanding a trucker workforce program. However, the round of applause was unrelated to the event, rather it came after a reporter asked DeSantis about his decision to fly migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.

Two planes carrying around 50 migrants were dropped off in the prestigious sanctuary destination on Wednesday. This was just one of many migrant transport operations largely carried out by Florida and Texas but the first to arrive in Massachusetts. In response to the migrants arrival, the Chamber of Commerce in Martha’s Vineyard declared a humanitarian crisis soon after the migrants’ arrival.

“Finding housing for 48 people in a matter of a couple of hours was a huge challenge,” Elizabeth Folcarelli Martha’s Vineyard Community Services CEO, said. “We called upon our partners: the school, the hospital, law enforcement, the sheriff, basically made phone calls to everybody we knew that we thought who could help. Our legislators. And together we put together this plan to get housing here. So it’s a good temporary solution.”

All migrants were given a bed, food, and shelter. Martha’s Vineyard presented itself as a sanctuary destination that welcomes migrants during former President Donald Trump’s administration. This week, Washington, D.C., another sanctuary city, declared a public health emergency over their portion of migrants sent to their city by bus.

The White House has called it a “political stunt” and has vocalized opposition to the Republican governor’s operation, a shared sentiment among Democrats. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, called for a federal investigation into possible kidnapping charges on Thursday following the news of migrants landing in Martha’s Vineyard.

DeSantis has doubled down, defending Florida’s position. The migrants in Martha’s Vineyard were staying in shelters in San Antonio, Texas. But Florida footed their travel bill as $12 million was recently secured in state funds to send migrants to sanctuary cities. DeSantis explained at the truckers event on Thursday migrants from Texas often travel to Florida, calling the Sunshine State an appeasing place for migrants to want to live. DeSantis said instead of having the migrants travel into his state, Florida would assist sending them to sanctuary cities.

“The minute even a small fraction of what those border towns deal with everyday is brought to their front door, they all of a sudden go berserk, and they’re so upset this is happening and it just shows their virtue signaling is a fraud,” DeSantis said.

To put the 50 migrants in Martha’s Vineyard in perspective, the Del Rio sector of the border in Texas averages 1,500-2,000 illegal crossings every day. The Del Rio Sector saw 3,300 illegal crossings and more than 733 “gotaways” last weekend alone, according to Customs and Border Protection.
Charlie Crist hopes to dethrone Ron DeSantis as Florida governor

September 14, 2022

Rep. Charlie Crist, D-FL, previously served as Florida’s governor as a Republican. In 2022, he’s running as a Democrat against incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

Crist’s gubernatorial campaign has focused on uniting Floridians, but following his Democratic primary victory, he struck a different tone.

“Those that support the governor should stay with him and vote for him,” Crist said on the campaign trail. “I don’t want your vote. If you have that hate in your heart, keep it there. I want the vote of the people of Florida who care about our state: Good Democrats, good Independents, good Republicans. Unify with this ticket.”

He later walked back those comments in an appearance on MSNBC. He said, “He’s a unifier” and “if someone is a staunch DeSantis supporter, they’re probably not going to vote for me anyway.”

“This is his fifth decade running for office,” Gov. DeSantis told Tucker Carlson on Fox News. “He’s a chameleon, a typical career politician.”

Crist is a familiar face to Floridians, having served as governor, attorney general, education commissioner, and state senator.

Crist has said he supports expanding abortion access, restoring voting rights to ex-felons, legalizing recreational marijuana, banning conversion therapy, and addressing the state’s affordable housing crisis.

“Our property insurance is through the roof,” Crist said on MSNBC. “Try to buy a house in Florida anymore – you can’t do it unless you’re a millionaire or billionaire, and most of us aren’t.”

The Democrat has an uphill battle heading into the general election in November. According to followthemoney.com, Crist raised just over $15 million compared to DeSantis’s more than $170 million during August.

The state of the US National Guard: Unusual missions, declining recruitment

Lawyer for Martha’s Vineyard migrants discredits DeSantis consent forms

Liz Truss visits US; Myanmar school attack; Martha’s Vineyard investigation

Despite reports of border security, migrants overwhelm El Paso, Texas

Martha’s Vineyard declares ‘humanitarian crisis’ following arrival of 50 migrants

Charlie Crist hopes to dethrone Ron DeSantis as Florida governor

Certified unbiased reporting

Transparent and credible

Newsletter

Stay connected